Reviews for Mockingjay

Library Journal Reviews 2012 September #2This sumptuous melodrama, based on the early books of John Galsworthy's family saga (1906), captures the zeitgeist of Victorian and Edwardian England. Soames Forsyte (Damian Lewis) represents the Victorian standards of the day. By contrast, his cousin Jolyon (Rupert Graves) is a free-spirited artist who leaves a conventional life to pursue his love. The lives of these two very different men are linked by the enigmatic Irene (Gina McKee), whose turbulent marriage to Soames eventually leads to happiness with Jolyon. Meanwhile, the next generation of Forsytes--Soames's daughter and Jolyon's son--fall passionately in love despite the animosity between their fathers. Those viewers who adored the enormously successful late 1960s BBC series will find this new adaptation equally addictive. VERDICT An absolutely first-rate drama that belongs in every public library. Note: This program was previously released by Acorn individually as Series 1 and 2 (LJ 6/1/04).--Joan Greenberg, Warminster, PA (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

----------------------School Library Journal Reviews 2010 November

Gr 7 Up--The final installment of Suzanne Collins's trilogy sets Katniss in one more Hunger Game, but this time it is for world control. While it is a clever twist on the original plot, it means that there is less focus on the individual characters and more on political intrigue and large scale destruction. That said, Carolyn McCormick continues to breathe life into a less vibrant Katniss by showing her despair both at those she feels responsible for killing and and at her own motives and choices. This is an older, wiser, sadder, and very reluctant heroine, torn between revenge and compassion. McCormick captures these conflicts by changing the pitch and pacing of Katniss's voice. Katniss is both a pawn of the rebels and the victim of President Snow, who uses Peeta to try to control Katniss. Peeta's struggles are well evidenced in his voice, which goes from rage to puzzlement to an unsure return to sweetness. McCormick also makes the secondary characters--some malevolent, others benevolent, and many confused--very real with distinct voices and agendas/concerns. She acts like an outside chronicler in giving listeners just "the facts" but also respects the individuality and unique challenges of each of the main characters. A successful completion of a monumental series.--Edith Ching, University of Maryland, College Park